By the time she was back at Andrea’s car, she’d already pulled up St. Sebastian’s website. The school featured oceanfront views and a diverse mix of boys in blue jackets and red ties. A 9–12 school with three clear tenets: hard work, a solid foundation, and a stable family life for behavioral modification so boys can grow up to lead a productive, meaningful adulthood.

“So . . . reform school?” Lauren said aloud after Ronnie showed them the welcome slogan. “She wasn’t kidding when she said she wished North had had the Silver Swans opportunities.”

They tried to call St. Sebastian’s offices and inquire about North, but an automated voice said all the lines were busy and that they could leave a message. Lauren babbled something about being a friend of Piper Jovan’s and having some concerns for North Jovan, a student there. She left her phone number and hung up.

Ronnie checked her watch again. Ten minutes had passed. “I need to get back,” she said. Every second away felt dangerous. What if Vanessa was getting restless? What if she’d decided to start the cross-country journey early?

“No, wait,” Lauren said. “Someone’s home. I think we should ring the bell.”

“Hang on, then.” Ronnie lifted her phone and redialed the first number on her recent calls. On the second ring, a chipper voice announced that she’d reached the Golden Palm Motel. Heart pounding, she asked about Vanessa and Esme, praying they hadn’t unexpectedly checked out. The girl at the front desk clacked on her computer, then said, “Nope, the room’s still in use. You want me to ring them?”

“Oh, that’s okay, thank you,” Ronnie said, breathing out. Of course, there was a chance Vanessa had taken off without officially checking out, but she wanted to think Vanessa had stayed put. This bought her a few more minutes, anyway.

Once she was off the phone, everyone peered once again at the light in the upstairs window. “Let’s claim we’re here for a book group,” Lauren decided. “And we’ve gotten lost, the wrong house.”

“A book club before dinner?” Ronnie gave her a strange look. “Even a teenage boy would call bullshit on that.”

But Lauren was already stepping out of the car and starting up the front walk. Ronnie exchanged an uneasy glance with Andrea, then scrambled after her. This felt like the hallway all over again, and perhaps Lauren sensed this, because she stopped and looked at them.

“We don’t have to,” she said.

The air had grown chilly, suddenly. The sun was starting to set, turning the clouds above them a candy pink. Ronnie took a breath. This might be their only chance.

“Okay,” she said. “Let’s do it.”

“Yeah, but if anything’s weird, we’re leaving,” Andrea said.